Tan Liang

The Sage Monarch Academy was in an uproar. No one had ever thought that Qin Meng, a cripple, as they assumed in the past, would defeat 8th Motif Stage Fang Shi in just a matter of seconds. Even a halfwit would know that something extraordinary must have happened to him to transform so drastically.

The change was too sudden. He was struggling to just enter the academy six months ago. Now he was already trampling the top students. It was definitely a matter worth paying attention to.

"He never stops surprising me," said Qian Jie, to the girl beside her.

Leng Yueyan smiled nonchalantly, but hidden behind her indifference was worry. Now that Qin Meng had revealed his brilliance, a few people would become restless. She eyed the mentor section and a cold glint flickered inside her dark pupils.

Around the duo there were other third-year students sitting as well. Ye Fa was one of them. "Humph, he is just an ant. Now a little bigger, but an ant, nonetheless. Soon he would be groveling under the feet of others—" He froze, spotting a cold glare of Leng Yueyan.

"You are too eager to get beaten up again, aren't you?" said the lady in an icy tone. "Your wounds must have already healed from the last pummeling."

Ye Fa winced and shrank back. Not daring to speak no further.

"I didn't know your fiance was so… interesting, Leng Yueyan," said a stately and beautiful girl with golden hair. Her eyes were that of a phoenix and her neck was that of a swan. Leng Yueyan was the only one who could match her temperament and grace and beauty. Her confidence and proud gaze seemed to look down on everyone.

Leng Yueyan was the only one she recognised.

"He has a lot to learn, Your Highness," said Leng Yueyan, neither in subservience nor in belligerence. She was the only exception who could talk to the princess—Zhong Liqiu—of Yorel in this manner.

"I'd be dull-witted if I believe you, Yueyan." Zhong Liqiu rolled her eyes at her, looking at one of a hundred screens with interest. "Your fiance is more like a dragon in the skin of a sheep. Very interesting."

Leng Yueyan smiled politely, but remained silent, and turned towards the screen that was occupied by Qin Meng.

——

It took only a few minutes to transfer the points of Fang's people to himself. His points climbed to sixty. After that, he turned towards the boy from Tan Qi's group.

The boy felt his gaze and fidgeted on the ground, and eyed him nervously. Then he took a breath and said, "Alright, take my points," he said with a sigh.

Qin Meng was tempted at first, but then he shook his head. "I snatched their points because their attitude disgusted me. Instead, your attitude was rather admirable. I'll let you leave for today."

"You—you won't plunder my points?" asked the boy with wide eyes.

Qin Meng nodded and turned towards the groaning group on the ground and said, "Right. Can you try taking their points? I want to see if the same person could be robbed by different people simultaneously."

The boy stumbled on his feet and looked at the Fang people with sparkling eyes. He nodded towards Qin Meng and went towards one of them. However, soon shook his head in disappointment. In frustration, he kicked and punched them, cursing to alleviate his pain and humiliation that he felt until now.

Qin Meng played the whisker under his chin and said, "There must be a cooldown period. No one could rob them until the cooldown is up." He shook his head. He looked at the boy and said, "Alright, boy, you can leave now."

Qin Meng eyed the bracelet and was surprised to find He Chen on the number one spot with two hundred points. It looks Yu Cheng must have realized the pitfalls of being at the top, so he slowed his hunting speed. He Chen on the other hand was too eager to prove himself. Qin Meng deciphered his personality in their first meeting. He was too cunning, but too eager.

Soon, he would also discover the mess he had gotten himself into. Qin Meng sauntered in the direction the arrow was pointing. It would be easy to find other competitors in that direction. Suddenly he stopped, turning back. "What are you doing?" said Qin Meng, eyeing the boy behind him.

"What do you mean, sir?" said the boy bewilderedly.

Qin Meng took a deep breath and said, "Why are you following me?"

"Uh," the boy eyed him and said, "You see, Mister Qin Meng was very kind to me. You let me vent my anger and frustration on those bastards. I want to repay your kindness. That's why I'm following you."

"Look," Qin Meng said. "You don't need to do any repayment, alright? Now, please leave."

Qin Meng had just taken a few steps when he heard sounds coming from behind him. He turned around and asked, "Now what?"

The boy flushed in embarrassment and said, "My sister said you need to repay kindness with kindness. Otherwise, how could you consider yourself human?"

Qin Meng eyed him and sighed. "Who's your sister?"

"Faction Leader Tan Qi."

It was the first time Qin Meng showed a surprised look. "You are her brother?"

"Yes." The boy patted his chest proudly. He enjoyed the amazed expression on Qin Meng's face.

Qin Meng thought briefly and then nodded. "Alright, you can tag along. However, you need to do what I tell you to do. If you promise me that—I'll let you follow me."

"Sure," replied the boy.

Qin Meng felt as if he was scammed. He shook his head helplessly. "What is your name?"

"I'm Tan Liang, Big Brother Qin Meng."

"Aren't you being too familiar with me?"

"Of course," said Tan Liang. "If I somehow offend Brother Qin Meng, who will protect me from the vicious monsters in this forest?"

"..."